January 2019

Mary Trent

NW Regional STEM Manager

 

 Send me an email!


Northwest Regional Advisory Board Members
  
A special thank you to the STEM Advisory Board
of NW Iowa
  
Teresa Alesch, Emmetsburg
John Bedward, Storm Lake
Kathleen Bottaro, Sioux City
Benjamin Bouza, Hawarden
Derek Brower, Orange City
Beth Bunkers, Primghar
Eric Forseth, Sioux Center
Linda Gray, Everly
Ginny Gunderson, Lake Park
Kiana Johnson, Primghar
Nancy McDowell, Sheldon
Jordan Menning, Rock Rapids
Teresa Putnam, Hartley
Brenda Welch, Meriden
Mark Zabawa, Spencer
Your Community -
Your Events

Learning happens inside and outside of the classroom.
Learning can happen to anyone at any age.

If you know of any STEM events happening,  please submit your STEM event  
so  
learning can happen anywhere, anytime, for  anyone. 

NW STEM Board Members Fly on 
185th Refueling Mission

On November 29, 2018, NW STEM Regional Board Members were invited to join the 185th Air Refueling Wing on a BOSS mission to refuel plans during a practice session.  Our mission took us into air space over Colorado where we refueled F16's. After a flight briefing and de-icing of the planes, we took off for our three hour flight. We were able to be right in the cockpit, talk to the pilots, operate the boom, and explore the aircraft.  We observed out the windows and through the Boom windshield the F16's getting refueled and practicing the flight pattern during the mission.  It was an amazing experience to see these plans in action so up close - what amazing talent, skill, and bravery! 

The 185th is planning a Kid Wind festival this spring and possible another STEM Festival.  They have mentioned many times that they would like to be more involved in schools and working with students.  If you haven't reached out to them to set up an experience, please do so.  

Hospers Elementary STEM Night Festival
On December 6, 2018, NW STEM hosted a STEM Festival at Hospers Elementary School, MOC-Flyod Valley School District, for grades K-3.  Eighty parents and their children attended and were given the opportunity to learn good questioning skills they can use with their children while working on STEM Challenges.  Hospers Elementary was awarded Ramps and Pathways and Making STEM Connections Scale-Up awards this past year.  Ramps and Pathways was showcased at this event while Making STEM Connections will be showcased in an upcoming STEM festival for 4-5 grades students and their families. 

Apply in January: Computer Science is Elementary


Application details are now available for Computer Science is Elementary. The project will transform six high-poverty elementary schools across Iowa into models of innovative computer science instruction by the 2020-2021 school year. A growing number of jobs require computer science skills. This program will help prepare students for success in computer science and future careers opportunities.

School districts and non-public school systems with an elementary building of at least 40 percent of students eligible for free- and reduced-price lunch are eligible to apply. Six awardees will be selected to receive a $50,000 planning award through a competitive award application process. One Computer Science is Elementary School will be located in each of the six regions established by the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.

The application period will open in January 2019 and awards will be announced in the summer of 2019. The 2019-2020 school year will be used as a planning year for schools to weave computational thinking and other elements of computer science into their broader curriculum. After the Computer Science is Elementary Schools launch in August 2020, the schools will serve as a statewide resource for Iowa educators by sharing their curriculum and community engagement strategies.

The application template and additional information about the Computer Science is Elementary project can be found at www.IowaSTEM.gov/CSElementary.

OA-BCIG High School STEM Festival 

On December 19,  NW STEM hosted a  STEM Festival at the OA-BCIG High School in Ida Grove.  The focus of the festival was to expose the 9-12 grade students to STEM career opportunities in their community.  Local businesses and organizations set up in the gymnasium and offered hands-on STEM activities at each booth.  Exhibitors also shared job openings and training available to receive these jobs. 

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council will release the menu for next year's STEM Scale-Up programs on January 14, 2019. Applications open for these programs on 
Monday, January 21, 2019 and close March 4, 2019. These programs range from PreK-12 grade formal and informal learning programs. Selected applicants will be notified of their award beginning in early April. 

Iowa's Scale-Up programs are reinventing the educational experience and introducing students to fields in STEM that have never been taught this way. To learn more about the Scale-Up programs, visit  https://iowastem.gov/Scale-Up
.





Checkout STEM Kits

Be sure to check out our STEM kits we have available for checkout on our website:  Resources Page  We pick up and deliver!  You can have them for an extended amount of time if needed. 




Share your Scale-Up Story with Us!

Were you awarded a Scale-Up Program this year?  If so, please share your story and pictures with us!  We will share your story in our newsletters and social media. Invite me out to see the Scale-up Program in action! 

Email: mtrent@iowalakes.edu


 
 
 

Check out NW STEM Website!

Northwest STEM Calendar  - Stay up-to-date on all Northwest STEM regional opportunities and even a few state-wide. Use this calendar to share your STEM events with others.
NW STEM Lending Resources - Check out the STEM lending library for educators and place you order online.
Don't forget to connect with NW STEM on social media as well!

Follow us on Twitter  Like us on Facebook